Research paper
Combined bioavailable isoflavones and probiotics improve bone status and estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal osteopenic women: a randomized controlled trial.
Study answer
What this study found
Overall, the bioavailable red clover isoflavone plus probiotic regimen was beneficial and well tolerated, with no adverse events reported. It favorably shifted estrogen metabolism: the urinary 2-OH:16a-OH ratio increased from 2.77 ± 0.19 to 3.41 ± 0.23 in the active group, versus 3.13 ± 0.27 to 2.98 ± 0.17 in controls, with an intergroup difference of P < 0.05. Equol production also increased, with 55% (n = 21) classified as equol producers at 6 months and equol concentration reaching 39.80 ± 15.68 nmol/L versus 3.02 ± 0.67 nmol/L in controls. Bone turnover also improved, with CTx decreasing…
- Study & population
- Randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women with osteopenia recruited from northern Denmark.
- Intervention
- Oral fermented red clover extract rich in isoflavone aglycones, given twice daily as 2 × 95 mL for 12 months, providing 60 mg isoflavone aglycones/day.
- Key limitation
- The trial was conducted in a specific group of postmenopausal osteopenic women from one region, limiting generalizability.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Background: Female age-related estrogen deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis, which can be effectively treated with the use of hormone replacement therapy. However, hormone replacement therapy is demonstrated to increase cancer risk. Bioavai…